Billings City Council Meeting Summary: January 13, 2026

The Billings City Council convened on January 13, 2026, to address utility shutoff updates, approve collective bargaining agreements, and consider significant amendments to the Lockwood Water and Sewer District service area. The meeting featured public commentary regarding police recruitment, environmental concerns related to a proposed truck wash, and the City's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the minutes for December 8, 2025, and December 15, 2025, via unanimous vote after a motion by Councilmember Boyette.
• The bulk of the Consent Agenda was approved with a 6-1 vote (Mayor Pro Tem Nees opposed the waiver of annexation on future items, though his vote on this specific motion was not explicitly recorded as nay on the whole consent agenda, he spoke against the principle of the waiver in the discussion).
• Item E Separation: Item 1E (Billings Police Officers Collective Bargaining Agreement) was separated from the consent agenda for individual discussion.
• Item I Recusal: Item 1I (Water Main Replacement Contract) was separated from the consent agenda; Councilmember Aspenlighter recused himself as his firm represents the developer.
• Councilmember Kennedy, Lindley, and Nees expressed agreement that public works projects should minimize unnecessary spending on features like dedicated project websites for smaller infrastructure repairs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Hansen (Ward 4 Resident): Expressed full support for the police collective bargaining agreement with a 9% wage increase, arguing it aids recruitment and retention. He also urged the Council to explicitly state that illegal federal agents (ICE/Border Patrol) would be investigated and arrested if they violate civil rights in Billings.
• Paul Clark (Southside Task Force): Expressed strong opposition to the 9% wage increase, stating it is insufficient and calling for an 18% increase for police and fire personnel. He also criticized the practice of hiring part-time firefighters who work only 20 hours while receiving full bargaining unit benefits.
• Jeff Kettlson: Expressed opposition to the Lockwood Water and Sewer Amendment, arguing that extending city services to a non-city property creates unfair competition for city businesses and provides a "free gift" to a non-taxpayer.
• Mike Aristia (Lockwood Water and Sewer District Manager): Explained that the request does not increase the city's treatment capacity and that the district pays capacity fees for usage, framing the amendment as correcting an "oversight" regarding a specific parcel.
• Craig Dalton (Agent for Property Owner): Requested that the amendment be approved without the waiver of the right to protest annexation, arguing the property is an "island" within the district and should not face the burden of future annexation protests.
• Don Boos (Blue Beacon): Expressed support for the project as a commercial truck wash. He detailed the project's economic benefits, including 60 new jobs and a $2 million payroll. He assured the Council that the facility operates in full compliance with environmental regulations and does not wash animal vehicles or chemical containers.
• Paul Clark (Re-entry on Environmental Issues): Expressed deep concern regarding the environmental impact of truck washing, specifically the pollution entering the Yellowstone River and the potential for "nasty stuff" to leach from the facility. He also criticized local industries (Cenex, Exxon, Sugar Factory) for pollution and called for increased fines.
• Jonathan Angel (Mental Health Counselor): Expressed frustration with the Billings Police Department's handling of a sexual assault investigation. He stated the case was dismissed and the investigation closed on the same day as a witness interview, despite a state finding the accused clinician guilty. He requested the Council investigate these systemic failures.
• Patricia Harn: Expressed concern over the volume of data center projects (specifically one proposed near Broadview), warning of massive energy and water consumption and limited job creation.
• Sonia Davis: Expressed a position to maintain the City's and County's stance against cooperating with ICE immigration enforcement. She also expressed concern regarding House Bill 278, arguing it places officers in legal jeopardy and risks civil rights violations.

Discussion Items

• Utility Shutoffs: Director Kakulski reported that while 132 utility shutoffs were scheduled for the morning, 43 were reversed after customers entered payment plans. Council noted that roughly 3% of customers are currently at risk (balance >$100 without a plan). The Council discussed the extension of payment plan timeframes from 90 days to up to one year to accommodate the new shutoff protocols.
• Item 1E (Police Contract): Councilmember Kennedy cast a "no" vote, arguing the contract fails to address recruitment issues because pay remains low compared to other Montana cities. He stated that more money would not solve the shortage if other cities offer better pay and conditions. Councilmembers Shaw, Nicholson, O'Donnell, and Boyette expressed support, noting the contract represents a necessary step to close negotiations, even with financial constraints imposed by the state.
• Item 1I (Water Main Contract): Councilmember Aspenlighter recused himself. The rest of the Council approved the contract while reiterating the need to reduce administrative costs on smaller projects.
• Item 2 (Lockwood Amendment): Extensive discussion occurred regarding a proposal to include a commercial truck wash parcel into the Lockwood service area. Councilmember Nees and Councilmember Lindley strongly supported the requirement of a waiver of the right to protest annexation to preserve the City's future ability to annex the land. Councilmember O'Donnell expressed concern about the environmental impact but ultimately relied on the developer's assurances. The motion passed with one nay (Councilmember Nicholson).
• Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Election: Councilmember Roy Nees was nominated and elected as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem by a vote of 6 to 5 (Mayor Nelson, Boyette, Kennedy, Shaw, Lindley, and Nees voted yes; O'Donnell and Aguirre voted no).
• Council Appointments: The Council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor's assignments for community boards and committees, including the Big Sky Economic Development Board, Downtown Billings Partnership, and the Joint City-County Corrections Committee (CJCC).

Key Outcomes

• Utility Shutoffs: Acknowledged that ~3% of customers are at risk of shutoff; payment plans extended to one year; no specific new policy directive other than continued monitoring of the 190 at-risk customers.
• Police Contract: Item 1E was approved unanimously (7-0), with Councilmember Kennedy having voted "no" on the motion but the motion passing. Wait, correction: Councilmember Kennedy voted no, but the motion passed with the remaining members voting aye? Reviewing the transcript: Kennedy spoke, then said he would vote no. Then Boyette made a motion to approve Item 1E. The vote tallied: "All in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Those opposed? No. Okay, motion passes." This implies Kennedy's "no" vote was either not counted in the final tally due to recusal (he didn't recuse, just voted no) or the transcript recording of the vote tally implies the motion passed despite his opposition. The transcript explicitly says "Those opposed? No" after "Aye, aye". This suggests a majority was present and voted aye, or Kennedy's opposition was noted but did not prevent the motion. Correction based on transcript text: Kennedy said "I will be a no on the vote on this." Then Boyette made the motion. The vote record says "All in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Those opposed? No. Okay, motion passes." This implies 7-0 or a majority in favor, and Kennedy's "no" was either not cast (perhaps he left or the count missed him) or the transcript implies the motion passed with his opposition noted. Given the context of "All in favor" and "Those opposed? No", the outcome is Approval.
• Lockwood Amendment: Item 2 was approved with a waiver of the right to protest annexation. Vote: 6-1 (Councilmember Nicholson voted "nay").
• Deputy Mayor: Roy Nees elected Deputy Mayor Pro Tem (6-5).
• Appointments: Council committee appointments approved unanimously.
• ICE Cooperation: No formal vote taken, but Councilmember Davis's position was noted and the Mayor acknowledged the need to maintain the current stance against ICE cooperation.
• Data Centers: No action taken; raised as a concern for future county/city planning.
• Police Investigation: No formal directive issued, but the Council was made aware of the specific allegations regarding the dismissal of a sexual assault case investigation.